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[quote=Anonymous]I would suggest you read Kant's "What is Enlightenment?" essay, in which he pinpoints the ability to think on one's own, not subject to external authority. That, in the end, is the basis of "critical thinking," especially in the purest sense of "critical" which is to rationally stand out from (ecstasis) a situation and evaluate it objectively, as much as possible not subject to emotional, historical, cultural, or other forms of ties that cloud your ability to think about an object. This has problems, of course, but the basic structure stands the test of time. It's the mode of thought of a free person (autonomy). Linked to this is the ability to argue, and construct an argument. You should ideally convince someone to do/think something for valid reasons, articulated freely to an autonomous rational subject, who can consider their validity, and not simply mandate ideas to those subject to your authority. The enlightenment was pretty awesome. So I was impressed when my kindergartener (at a private K-8) came home and offered three well-constructed reasons why they should be allowed to have a turtle. Reasoned argument at age 5. There is still hope. [/quote]

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